American Academy Of Periodontology Asks Center For Disease Control To Make Monitoring Oral Health A Priority

(I-Newswire) August 17, 2010 - Beverly Hills, CA – The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Oral Health (CDC DOH) and the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) have partnered to create a program to track the incidence and pervasiveness of periodontal disease in America. The program is part of strategic planning for 2010 through 2014.

Shockingly, preliminary findings suggest the rate of periodontal disease may be two to three times higher than formerly believed, based on the results of the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES). The survey consisted of an oral health questionnaire and full oral assessment. The AAP is pressuring the CDC to investigate and authenticate the survey’s results in order to provide a benchmark of periodontal health in the United States.

The link between oral disease and general disease has been established: oral disease is associated with diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease and more. The prevalence of periodontal disease makes this correlation even more alarming. The AAP and CDC aim to use this knowledge and the survey results in emphasizing the significance of good oral health in achieving total health. If oral health is made a national priority, perhaps overall health will benefit.

According to Dr. Alex Farnoosh, esteemed Beverly Hills periodontist, “As research continues to demonstrate the link between periodontal disease and general disease, the significance and implications of this public health pandemic become clear. The AAP’s partnership with the CDC DOH is important – establishing a benchmark of oral health is an important step in diminishing overall rates of disease in America. With a bit of luck, increased public awareness will prompt people to visit a periodontist and make gum and tooth care a priority.”